Navigator

ABSTRACT

Route guiding information is displayed on the basis of set information and positional data when set information and positional data are set by a keyboard or are transmitted from a sensor BOX  12.

This application is the national phase under 35 U.S.C. §371 of PCTInternational Application No. PCT/JP98/05385 which has an Internationalfiling date of Nov. 30, 1998, which designated the United States ofAmerica.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a navigation device which displaysroute-guiding information from a present position to a destination.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a conventional navigation-device. In the figure, referencenumeral 1 denotes a GPS antenna, 2 is the body of a navigation device, 3is a GPS receiver which receives GPS signals from a communicationssatellite, 4 is a gyro which outputs rotational angle data (hereafterdirectional data) related to the vehicle, 5 is a CD-ROM which stores mapdata, 6 is a CD-ROM drive which reads map data from the CD-ROM, 7 is anoperation panel which sets information such as a destination, 8 is a CPUwhich calculates a present position of the vehicle from the GPS signalreceived by the GPS receiver 3, which maps a present position anddestination onto map data and which generates route-guiding information,and 9 is a monitor which displays route-guiding information.

The operation of the invention will be explained below.

The CPU 8 calculates a present position of the vehicle from the GPSsignal received by the GPS receiver 3 after receiving a signal whichindicates activation of the navigation system from the operational panel7. Information related to vehicle latitude, longitude, direction, speed,height, measurement order and time is contained in the GPS measurementsignal.

However when the vehicle is running in a tunnel, since the GPS receiver3 can not receive a GPS signal, the CPU 8 calculates a present positionof the vehicle from vehicle speed data and directional data output bythe gyro 4.

On computing a present position of the vehicle, the CPU 8 generatesroute-guiding information by mapping the present position anddestination input from the operational panel 7 onto map data.

When the CPU 8 has generated route-guiding information, as shown in FIG.2, such information is displayed on the monitor 9.

Since a conventional navigation device is constructed as above, it ispossible to display route-guiding information from a present position toa destination. However it is not possible for user to use the navigationdevice in portable form as the body 2 of the navigation device must bedisposed in the vehicle. Thus the problem has arisen that route-guidinginformation can not be communicated to a user unless a specific vehicleis used to travel to a destination.

If a GPS antenna 1 is connected to a personal computer into whichsoftware is loaded which can execute navigation processing, it ispossible to provide a simple portable navigation device (hereafter thiswill be termed a second conventional example). Since a personal computeremployed in a second conventional example must be operated by using amouse or keyboard, the problem of greatly reduced user friendliness hasarisen. (It is possible to operate the second conventional example byusing a designated operation panel 7).

The present invention is proposed to solve the above problems of theprior art and has the object of providing a navigation device which cancommunicate route-guiding information to a user even when a specificvehicle is not used to travel to a destination.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The navigation device of the present invention is provided with aguiding information display means which displays route-guidinginformation according to positional data and set information when suchpositional data and set information is set by an input means or whensuch positional data or set information is transmitted by a positioncalculation means.

In this way, even if the guiding information display means is notconnected to a position calculation means, if positional data is setusing an input means, it is possible to generate route-guidinginformation. Therefore it is possible to display route-guidinginformation between arbitrary geographical points in a portable device.

The navigation device of the present invention is provided with apositional calculation means in the vehicle and a guiding informationdisplay means which uses a portable computer.

In such a way, if a present position or destination is input using acomputer keyboard or the like, it is possible to display route-guidinginformation in a portable device.

The navigation device of the present invention is adapted to display asequence of routes from a present position to a point of embarkation onpublic transportation and from a point of disembarkation from publictransportation to a destination. Such information is displayed as routeguiding information not only as a normal sequence of routes for thevehicle but when the condition is set that public transport will be usedto a destination.

In this way, it is possible to provide an optimal sequence of routeswhen using public transportation services.

The navigation device of the present invention is adapted to display adistance from a present position to a point of embarkation, and adistance from a point of disembarkation to a destination.

In this way, a user can recognize how far it will be necessary to walk.

The navigation device of the present invention is adapted to displayrequired time from a present position to a point of embarkation, travelsectors and travel time on public transportation and required time froma point of embarkation to a destination.

In this way, it is possible for a user to understand an arrival timewhen using a public transportation service.

The navigation device of the present invention is adapted to display thefare on a public transportation service.

In this way, a user can understand the fares involved when using apublic transportation service.

The navigation device of the present invention is adapted to display atimetable of a public transportation service.

In this way, a user can understand embarkation and disembarkation timeswhen using a public transportation service.

The navigation device of the present invention is adapted to display aguide to transfers on public transportation services when transfers mustbe made on a plurality of public transportation services.

In this way, it is possible for a user to change public transportationservices smoothly.

The navigation device of the present invention is adapted to display asequence of routes from a present position to a destination during thedisplay of route-guiding information when the condition has been setthat a taxi will be used to the destination.

In this way, it is possible to provide a sequence of routes when using ataxi.

The navigation device of the present invention is adapted to display adistance from a present position to a destination.

In this way, it is possible for a user to recognize how far it will benecessary to ride in a taxi.

The navigation device of the present invention is adapted to display arequired time from a present position to a destination.

In this way, it is possible for a user to recognize an arrival time whenusing a taxi.

The navigation device of the present invention is adapted to display ataxi fare.

In this way, it is possible for a user to recognize transportation costswhen using a taxi.

The navigation device of the present invention is adapted to transmitvehicle positional data by using a radio circuit to a monitoring centerwhich processes vehicle position.

In this way, it is possible for a monitoring center to track a presentposition of a vehicle in which a navigation device is mounted.

The navigation device of the present invention is adapted to transmitvehicle positional data by using a telephone circuit to a monitoringcenter which processes vehicle position.

In this way, it is possible for a monitoring center to track a presentposition of a vehicle in which a navigation device is mounted.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows a conventional navigation device.

FIG. 2 is a figure of a screen, showing route-guiding information to ausual destination.

FIG. 3 shows a navigation device according to a first embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 is a table showing an example of network data related to routes.

FIG. 5 is a table showing network data related to public transportationservices.

FIG. 6 is a figure of a screen showing route-guiding information whenpublic transportation services are used.

FIG. 7 is a figure of a screen showing the distance and the publictransportation services to a first station.

FIG. 8 is a figure of a screen showing a timetable of publictransportation services.

FIG. 9 is a figure of a screen showing transfers between publictransportation services.

FIG. 10 is a figure showing a navigation device according to a seventhembodiment of the present invention.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In order to explain the invention in greater detail, the preferredembodiments will be explained below with reference to the accompanyingfigures.

Embodiment 1

FIG. 3 shows navigation device according to a first embodiment of thepresent invention. In the figure, reference numeral 11 denotes a GPSantenna, 12 is a sensor BOX (position calculation means) whichcalculates a present position of the vehicle and transmits positionaldata showing the present position and set information such asdestinations which are set by a remote controller 15 to a computer 18,13 is a GPS receiver which receives a GPS signal from a communicationssatellite, 14 is a gyro which outputs vehicle directional data, 15 is adesignated remote controller (operation means) which sets necessaryinformation (for example destinations) for navigation and whichtransmits set information (remote control operation data) to a CPU 16through a receiver 15 a by infrared signals, radio signals or land linesignals. 15 a is a receiver 1 for the sensor BOX 12. 16 is a CPU whichcalculates a present position of the vehicle from the GPS signalreceived by the GPS receiver, 17 is an interface circuit (hereafter I/Fcircuit) for the sensor BOX 12.

18 is a computer (guiding information display means) which displaysroute-guiding information depending on set information and positionaldata when such set information and such positional data are input by akeyboard or when positional data or set information are transmitted fromthe sensor BOX 12. 19 is an interface circuit which is connected througha I/F circuit 17 and RS232C cable of the sensor BOX 12 (hereafter I/Fcircuit), 20 is a hard disk on which such information as the navigationsoftware is stored, 21 is a CD-ROM which stores map data, 22 is a CD-ROMdrive which reads map data from the CD-ROM 21, 23 is a general-purposekeyboard (input means) which sets a present position, destination andthe like when the computer 18 is separated from the sensor BOX 12, 24 isa CPU which generates route-guiding information by mapping a presentposition or destination of the vehicle onto map data, and 25 is adisplay device which displays route-guiding information.

Next the operation of the invention will be explained.

The CPU of the sensor BOX 12 which is provided in the vehicle processesthe present position of the vehicle from the GPS signal received by theGPS receiver 13 after a signal which indicates that the navigationsystem has been activated is received from the remote controller 15.Information such as the latitude, longitude, direction, speed, measureddimensions time of the vehicle are contained in the GPS signal.

However when the vehicle is running in a tunnel, since the GPS receiver13 can not receive the GPS signal, the CPU 16 processes the presentposition of the vehicle from vehicle speed information and directionaldata output from the gyro 14.

The CPU 16 outputs set information (remote controller operation data)input from the remote controller 15 and position data showing thepresent position of the vehicle to an external component through the I/Fcircuit 17.

In this way, when the computer 18 is connected to the sensor BOX 12through an RS232C cable, the I/F circuit 19 of the computer 18 receivesset information and positional data output from the I/F circuit 17 ofthe sensor BOX 12.

The CPU 24 of the computer 18 generates route-guiding information bymapping the present position and destination of the vehicle onto the mapdata when the I/F circuit 19 receives set information and positionaldata.

When route-guiding information has been generated, the CPU 24 displaysroute-guiding information on the display device 25 as shown in FIG. 2.

On the other hand, when the computer 18 is not connected to the sensorBOX 12, since it is not possible to receive set information andpositional data from the sensor BOX 12, it is not possible to operatethe designated remote controller 15. However if a present position anddestination are input from the keyboard, since it is possible for theCPU to generate route-guiding information even if positional data andset information are not received from the sensor BOX 12, and thusroute-guiding information can still be displayed on the display device25.

Therefore if a user does not use a vehicle and for example moves bywalking, it is possible to display route-guiding information from apresent position to a destination if the computer is portable.

As is clear from the explanation above, a first embodiment is adapted todisplay route-guiding information on the basis of positional data andset information, when positional data and set information are set by akeyboard or when set information or positional data are transmitted froma sensor BOX (set information which is set by a remote controller 15).Thus when a computer 18 is connected to a sensor BOX 12, it is possibleto display route-guiding information by operating an improved designatedremote controller 15. On the other hand, when the computer 18 isportable, it is possible to display route-guiding information ifpositional data and set information are set using a keyboard 23.

Furthermore in the first embodiment, a remote controller 15 is used toinput set information. However it is possible to input set informationusing another switch provided in the vehicle (such as a switch providedon the console, a switch on the display device 25, a switch on thedriving wheel or the like).

Embodiment 2

The first embodiment above was explained on the basis of displayingroute-guiding information when a user does not use a specific vehicleand moves by walking. When conditions for the use of publictransportation services (for example train, bus, plane or the like) to adestination are set by a keyboard 23, it is possible to display thesequence of routes from a present point to a point of embarkation onpublic transportation services and the sequence of routes from a pointof disembarkation from public transportation services to a destination.

More precisely, although network data related to roads are normallystored on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM 21, (refer to FIG. 4),network data related to public transportation services may also bestored therein (refer to FIG. 5).

For example, when a condition of using a train to reach a destination isset, route-guiding information from a present position to a firststation (embarkation station) and route-guiding information from adisembarkation station to a destination is generated and displayed byreferring to network data which relate to trains and network data whichrelate to roads (refer to FIG. 6).

In this way, it is possible to supply a user with an optimal sequence ofroutes when using public transportation services.

Embodiment 3

In embodiment 2 above, when the condition of using tip publictransportation to reach a destination is set, a sequence of routes froma present position to an embarkation point on public transport and asequence of routes from a disembarkation point on public transport to adestination is generated and displayed. However the items below may alsobe displayed (refer to FIG. 7). In this way, a user can understand faresand arrival times to a destination.

Distance from a present position to a destination

Distance from a disembarkation point to a destination

Required time from a present position to an embarkation point

Travelling time on public transportation

Required time from a disembarkation point to a destination

Fares on public transportation

Embarkation station on public transportation

Embodiment 4

In embodiment 3 above, distance from a present position to a destinationwas displayed. However the timetable of a public transportation servicemay also be displayed (refer to FIG. 8).

In this way, a user may understand embarkation and disembarkation timeson public transportation.

Embodiment 5

In embodiment 4 above, timetables of public transportation weredisplayed. However when transfers between a plurality of publictransportation services are involved, transfer guides of publictransportation services may be displayed (refer to FIG. 9).

In this way, a user may make smooth transfers between publictransportation.

Embodiment 6

In embodiment 2 above, when a condition of using public transportationto a destination was set, a sequence of routes from a present positionto an embarkation point on public transportation and from adisembarkation point to a destination is displayed. However whencondition that a taxi will be used to reach the destination is set, thelist of items below may be displayed together with the sequence ofroutes from a present position to a destination.

In this way, a user can understand fares and arrival times to adestination.

Distance and sequence of routes from a present position to a destinationRequired time from a present position to a destination Taxi fares (taxifares are calculated for example from distance and required time).

Embodiment 7

FIG. 10 shows a navigation device according to a seventh embodiment ofthe present invention. In the figure, those elements that are similar orthe same to the elements of FIG. 3 are designated by the same referencenumerals and will not be explained again.

Reference numeral 31 denotes a radio which sends each kind ofinformation and vehicle positional data (for example running speed,(including maximum speed, average speed), gear position, fuelconsumption, idling time, running time, running route and the like) to amonitoring center 33. 32 is a radio which receives each kind ofinformation and positional data relating to the vehicle transmitted bythe radio 31 which is connected to a sensor BOX 12. 33 is a monitoringcenter which calculates vehicle position and the like based onpositional data when the radio 32 receives each kind of information andposition data relating to the vehicle.

The operation of the vehicle will be explained below.

In embodiments 1-6 above, route-guiding information was displayed on thevehicle computer 18. However vehicle positional data and each kind ofinformation may be transmitted to a monitoring center 33 by using aradio circuit.

In this way, it is possible to indicate a suitable vehicle position ofeach vehicle so that a transportation company may ascertain the positionof respective vehicles.

Furthermore since communication with a monitoring center 33 is possiblewithout the provision of a computer 18 which has a navigation functionor map data, reductions in price are available to a user.

Furthermore, in embodiment 7, although vehicle data and the like istransmitted using a radio circuit, a telephone circuit may also be usedfor transmission to achieve the same effect.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As shown above, the navigation device of the present invention isadapted to calculate an optimal sequence of routes when a user does notunderstand the sequence of routes from a present position to adestination. The unit need not be fixed to the vehicle since the devicecomprises a general-purpose computer which can be freely carried.

What is claimed is:
 1. A navigation device comprising a designatedoperation means which sets information necessary for navigation, aposition computation means which computes a present position of avehicle and which transmits positional data showing a present positionand set information received from said designated operation means, ageneral-purpose input means which sets positional data showing a presentposition and information necessary for navigation, and a guidinginformation display means which displays route-guiding information basedon positional data and set information when such positional data and setinformation is set by said general-purpose input means or by saidposition computation means; wherein the designated operation means andthe position computation unit are disposed in the vehicle and thegeneral-purpose input means and the guiding information display meansare a portable unit that is operable both when attached to and removedfrom the position computation means.
 2. A navigation device according toclaim 1 wherein said position computation means is disposed in a vehicleand said guiding information display means is comprised of a portablecomputer.
 3. A navigation device according to claim 1 wherein whenroute-guiding information is displayed on a guiding information displaymeans, a sequence of routes from a present position to an embarkationpoint on public transport and a sequence of routes from a point ofdisembarkation of public transportation to a destination are displayedwhen a condition is set that public transportation will be used to reacha destination.
 4. A navigation device according to claim 1 wherein saidguiding information display means displays a distance from a presentposition to an embarkation point and a distance from a disembarkationpoint to a destination.
 5. A navigation device according to claim 1wherein said guiding information display means displays a required timefrom a present position to an embarkation point, a travelling time onpublic transport and a required time from a disembarkation point to adestination.
 6. A navigation device according to claim 1 wherein saidguiding information display means displays fares related to publictransportation.
 7. A navigation device according to claim 1 wherein saidguiding information display means displays a timetable of publictransportation.
 8. A navigation device according to claim 1 wherein saidguiding information display means displays a transfer guide betweenpublic transportation services when the route involves transfers betweena plurality of public transportation services.
 9. A navigation deviceaccording to claim 1 wherein when route-guiding information is displayedby said guiding information display means, said guiding informationdisplay means displays a sequence of routes from a present position to adestination when a condition is set that a taxi will be used to reachthe destination.
 10. A navigation device according to claim 1 whereinsaid guiding information display means displays a distance from apresent position to a destination.
 11. A navigation device according toclaim 1 wherein said guiding information display means displays arequired time from a present position to a destination.
 12. A navigationdevice according to claim 1 wherein said guiding information displaymeans displays a taxi fare.
 13. A navigation device according to claim 1wherein said position computation means transmits vehicle positionaldata by using a radio circuit to a monitoring center which computes aposition of the vehicle.
 14. A navigation device according to claim 1wherein said position computation means transmits positional data of thevehicle by using a telephone circuit to a monitoring center whichcomputes a position of the vehicle.
 15. A portable unit for a navigationsystem comprising a general-purpose input means which sets positionaldata showing a present position and information necessary fornavigation, and a guiding information display means which displaysroute-guiding information based on positional data and set informationwhen such positional data and set information is set by saidgeneral-purpose input means or by a fixed unit; wherein the portableunit is removable from a vehicle and operable both when attached to orremoved from the fixed unit and the general-purpose input means canreceive data from the fixed unit.